Did Jesus exist, Part II

Sure. In fact the big question is trying to determine what might be actual examples of the words of Christ. The point is that the issue should be open to research, just as with the questions related to the writings alleged to be from Paul and those of Acts.As I have said throughout this discussion there is simply no threat from such studies. It is impossible to prove that Jesus did not exist. The only possible outcomes are that we can find there is no indication there really was someone named Jesus at the time, or that we might find there was such a person.That leaves us in the same position we are now. Belief in Jesus is a matter of Faith, and even if he were proven to have existed, that would not address the issue of hid divinity.Jesus is an article of Faith.It really is as simple as that.This message has been edited by jar, 01-15-2006 07:23 PM

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

No, who cares?You asked if any of the names on the list were in History.This message has been edited by jar, 01-15-2006 07:20 PM

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Really well. That'sthe basis or replication and peer review.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

I believe Jesus lived as an actual person. I believe that he was divine.BUT...I have considerable body of evidence that the Buddha lived as a historical person. There it's not a matter of belief but rather the weight of evidence.When it comes to Jesus, there really is a dirth of evidence that he really existed.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

We had one. I'll see if I can find it. But outside the Bible there is really nothing on Jesus.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Kenplease read what I write.This whole thread has been on looking for evidence related to that. There is the Bible. There are some questionable quotes from Josephus. There are the ones from Tacitus. That's about it in the first couple hundred years following Jesus life.Do you know of any others? If so, bring them up so we can discuss them.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Well, we really don't know for sure. What little we know about Polycarp is from mention in the epistles of St. Ignatius and the one Epistle to the Philippians (both soyurces that have been questioned as to their authenticity) and a few other references. As to the story of his allegiance at martyrdom, what does that mean other than the fact that he believed in Jesus. That's simply not the issue. There is certainly no way that Polycarp could have ever met Jesus that I know of.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Yes, and there are others that do question Antiquities 20. The key point is outside of the Bible there is no evidence that Jesus lived until we get to reports from long after the fact.But suppose we found direct evidence that there was a Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem, was a preacher and teacher, went to Jerusalem and was tried and crucified, how would that support Jesus' divinity?It's all a matter of Faith.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Yes, we've gone over that.But it's simply not evidence. For example, I believe Jesus existed. But that's not evidence for or against his existence.Belief is not evidence.If Jesus really lived, even if no one believed, he existed.If Jesus did not really live, even if 100% of the populus believed, he did not exist.The fact that Paul, or Constantine, or martyrs or saints believed Jesus existed is not evidence of anything except that they believed he existed. It has nothing to do with reality.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Are all of those beliefs? Are those based on beliefs? Well, start another thread on the alleged prophecies and we'll work through them again. Again, simply acknowledgement that folk believed. Just like Jonestown, like Heavens Gate.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

No buz, I think you misunderstand what evidence is.If I believe 2 + 2 = 5, is that evidence that 2 + 2 = 5?

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion